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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Pussy Willow Easter Tree

First of all, I want to send a big Thank you! to all my friends for your support regarding new ways of managing blogs - thanks a million! Next, I wanna tell you that even though work has been strangling me, Bloglovin has helped me take a peek at your projects :) And third, it just so happened that yesterday I woke up with the urge to make a DIY Easter tree... so here it is!

Perhaps it was the frustration of not being able to do anything for the home, lately (due to my real job deadlines, as I keep telling you). Or maybe it was my subconscious mind whispering in my head, because I already had these wonderful pussy willow branches on my kitchen counter. Either way, I woke up at 6.45 AM determined to do something. At 7.45 AM, the pussy willow Easter tree was already done!

Dear ladies, I am officially in love! The Easter tree is not among our local traditions, but I've tried my hand at them before (while supervising decorations for commercial venues in my city). I was first against this foreign custom, but the beauty of these trees conquered me, eventually. So I made up my own version, using what I already had in hand: the willow branches and origami paper.

The willow is the star of my tree, so soft and fuzzy and cute! Decorating the DIY Easter tree with Easter eggs was a classic choice, but I went with it because I was in a hurry. Choosing paper eggs instead of 3-dimensional ones (real or fake) was also great for my (extremely) limited time. But I would have chosen paper eggs anyway, because they are more subtle, more playful and they also take up less space in the arrangement.

It is a pleasure to look at and it gives a peaceful feeling to the whole living room. I actually spent more time taking photos of my humble Easter tree, than making it! My inspiration was this blue ceramic pitcher, with a round belly. Its happy color is perfect for Spring and it lifts up my spirits. All I had to do was to find origami paper in matching colors - an array of pale blue, turquoise and lime green.

Just like I said before, this little project takes 15 minutes to make, so I feel bound to share this very simple DIY Easter tree tutorial:

1. Choose your materials: twigs, branches of any kind, origami paper, scissors, pen, paper glue and thread. I used pussy willow branches because they are so soft and fuzzy.. Make sure the origami paper comes in subdued colors - you don't want to eclipse the natural beauty of the twigs!

2. Cut strips of paper of the same size. The more patterns, the better! The paper eggs you're gonna make will be more attractive if they have different a pattern on each side.

3. Take a blank sheet of paper. Use the paper glue to line the origami strips of paper next to each other, on both sides of the blank.

4. Now you have a patterned canvas. Make sure that the strips on the front and back correspond in position.

5. Draw the egg shape of your choice on each strip of paper. If you're not very artistic, just make an oval.

6. Cut the final paper eggs. Throw the branches in a vase. Hang the paper eggs by a thread.

Thanks, so much for joining us last week on All Things Thursday Link Ups!! It is so fun to bring the outdoors in, I know my readers would love them, too! Feel free to join us again at allthingswithpurpose.com.

Really, Yelle? I'm really amazed you haven't seen an Easter tree before (I was under the impression that everybody has one in the States!), but I hope that you like it and you can also try a little tree project for spring yourself :)

Hi! We also hang Easter decorative eggs on pussy willow branches. They do not grow here, where I live, so I have to get them on the market. When I can't get some, I cut some wild branches with flowers on them, for example wild cherry or almond.I like your arrangment, it is so fresh looking!

Ana, when I'll have my own home with a small garden I wanna have a willow tree in the back of the house (they grow well in my city). Until then, I also bought the pussy willow branches from the market, too, from a very small and old lady :)

Tina, we also celebrate orthodox Easter on May 5th, just like you - and that's why I said I had "the urge" to make the Easter tree, it is not time yet, in my country :))))) Thank you so much for visiting!

I love this! The color of the vase is so vibrant and fun and the pussy willows are a great idea. They are perfect for this look! Thanks so much for sharing a great post! I just pinned this :) Krista @ http://ahandfulofeverything.blogspot.com

HAPPY EASTER!Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured later today!I hope you are having a wonderful Easter weekend, and join me this evening for Make the Scene Monday #68!